LibGuides: Money Management: Personal Finance Basics

Know Your Numbers

To take control of your money situation, it's essential to know where you stand. Monitor these common metrics to track your progress:

Credit Score
Your credit score is a number between 0-800 based on the age and type of credit accounts you have, your ratio of utilized to available credit, and your on-time payment history. Lenders, employers, and landlords look at your credit score as part of their approval process, and a lower score often results in higher interest rates.
Emergency Fund
Everybody should have some money set aside for emergencies. Even a few hundred dollars can help keep an unexpected expenses from becoming a catastrophe, but most experts recommended saving from $1000 to 6+ months of expenses. Determine what number makes sense for you and start setting aside a little money each month towards your goal.
Net Worth
Your net worth is your assets (cash, investments, property, etc.) minus any debts (credit cards, students & car loans, mortgages, etc.). Even if you're starting with a negative net worth, keeping track will show you your progress.
Savings Rate
Calculation methods vary, but this is essentially the difference between how much you earn and what you spend. If this number is negative, it will result in debt.

GCF Money Basics
Basic information on everyday money issues, such as open bank accounts or buying a car
Investopedia
Definitions for a wide variety of financial terms, plus answers to frequently asked questions, tutorials, and investment information.
My Money
Info on money management fundamentals including: Earn, Save & Invest, Protect, Spend, and Borrow
Napkin Finance
Everything you need to know about financial matters, organized in easy-to-digest "back of the napkin" explanations
NYPL Money Matters Resources
Collections of web resources on topics like college financing, income taxes, and retirement planning.
Build a Personal Financial Plan
Step-by-step guide

Free access to current and back issues through Touro College Libraries:

All of Touro's books can be found by searching the catalog (below, or where it says Catalog Find Print Books on the library homepage).

Use the advanced search to limit your results by year, campus location, etc.

Search just eBooks by selecting eBooks on the library homepage.

If a print book you'd like is at a different campus, learn how to request it.

Below are some popular books in print that are available through Touro Library on the topic:

Money, Banking, Financial Markets and Institutions by Michael Brandl
Call Number: HG101 .B73 2021
ISBN: 9781337902724
Publication Date: 2020-01-01
Available in print at the Forest Hills and Cross River locations
Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management by Sanford J. Leeds; Frank K. Reilly; Keith C. Brown
Call Number: HG4521 .R396 2019
ISBN: 1305262999
Publication Date: 2018-05-16
Available in print at the Kew Gardens Hills location
The Small Business Start-Up Kit by Peri Pakroo
Call Number: KF1659.Z9 .P35 2020
ISBN: 9781413327236
Publication Date: 2020-02-25
Available in print at the 2002 Avenue J, Brooklyn location
How the Stock Market Works by Michael Becket
Call Number: HG4529.5 .B43 2021
ISBN: 9781398601116
Publication Date: 2021-08-31
Available in print at the 2002 Avenue J, Brooklyn location

Below are some popular eBooks that are available through Touro Library on the topic:

More Money Now by Nicole Victoria
ISBN: 9781642509519
Publication Date: 2022-08-16
Available as an eBook
Making Money Simple by Peter Lazaroff
Call Number: HG179 .L393 2019
ISBN: 9781119537823
Publication Date: 2019-03-27
Available as an eBook
Stop Worrying about Money by Jacqui Clarke
ISBN: 9781394176892
Publication Date: 2023-04-25
Available as an eBook
Successfully Achieving Strategy Through Effective Portfolio Management by Frank R. Parth
ISBN: 9781637420850
Publication Date: 2021-08-05
Available as an eBook
Money by Mellor
ISBN: 9781447346289
Publication Date: 2019-07-03
Available as an eBook
The Elements of Investing by Burton G. Malkiel; Charles D. Ellis
ISBN: 9781119773801
Publication Date: 2020-09-01
Available as an eBook
Buffett's Tips by John M. Longo; Tyler J. Longo
ISBN: 9781119763727
Publication Date: 2020-11-24
Available as an eBook
Also available in print at the Kew Gardens Hills location